Israel, Syria Agree To Ceasefire After 300 Killed In Sweida Violence

<p>Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire agreement, according to the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, following several days of intense violence in the mostly Druze-populated region that has claimed more than 300 lives.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on Damascus and targeted Syrian government troops in the south, demanding their retreat. Israel stated the actions were intended to protect the Druze community &mdash; a small but significant minority also present in Lebanon and Israel.</p>
<p>”We urge Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to lay down arms and join other minority groups in forging a renewed, united Syrian identity,” said Tom Barrack, the U.S. envoy to Turkey, in a post on X.</p>
<p>Barrack confirmed that the ceasefire had the backing of Turkey, Jordan, and other neighboring countries.</p>
<p>Both the Israeli embassy in Washington and the Syrian consulate in Canada have yet to issue any statements.</p>